Register and vote

Find legislators’ names and addresses

Write to legislators

I periodically post suggestions for legislators and administration officials you can contact.

3 November 2018

A week ago in a Pittsburgh synagogue, 11 innocent lives were ended by a maniac who legally owned an AR-15 and many other weapons. On October 24, two people grocery shopping, one with his grandson, the other buying food for her ailing mother, were murdered in broad daylight. To quote Louisville, Kentucky mayor, Greg Fischer “There are ways to make our country safer and still respect the rights of law-abiding gun owners. This idea that it's all or nothing is a false choice. And Americans are dying everyday because of it.” If you agree, write your legislators and demand change.

Postcards sent to Speaker Ryan, Senators Casey and Toomey

Addresses:Speaker Ryan20 S Main St #10Janesville, WI 53545

Senator Casey2000 Market St # 1870Philadelphia, PA 19103

Senator Toomey200 Chestnut St #600Philadelphia, PA 19106

23 October 2018

The midterm elections are two weeks away. Here’s a link to a non-partisan list of candidates designated by Moms Demand Action as Gun Sense candidates. The Brady Campaign has endorsed candidates for federal office who are “champions on the issue of gun violence prevention.” Check the lists and write to candidates—let them know how important this issue is to you.

7 August 2018

Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, leads the Federal Commission on School Safety. When questioned in June about gun policy, DeVos insisted that was outside the commission’s purview. As of today, the official website indicates that the commission will include "a discussion on minimum age for firearms purchases."

You can write to Secretary DeVos to tell her if you think there are additional ways the commission can engage with the public health crisis of gun control, and its effect on our country's public school students and parents, teachers and staff.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was quoted in the Lexington Herald-Leader saying, “It’s a darn shame that’s where we are but this epidemic is something that’s got all of our attention.”

Aw, shucks. What McConnell thinks is a darn shame is this: “The Fayette County School District unveiled a sweeping plan Monday to increase school safety, including metal detectors in schools and increased mental health counseling. The safety measures would be funded by an increase in property taxes in the county.”

McConnell doesn't think Congress can do much to address the issue. Also, he doesn't believe in gun control. He's correct that gun violence an epidemic. Write and tell him what you think:

Write to the chair and vice chair of the Massachusetts House Committee on Ways and Means and ask them to call a vote on HB3610. This is an ERPO (Extreme Risk Protection Order) bill, getting guns out of the hands of people who are dangerous to themselves and others.

Write to legislators

When writing a Portraits of Parkland postcard you might want to say something about the person pictured. Tell the legislator what action you'd like them to take. You can be specific, referencing particular bills if you'd like. Or you can state your concerns in a more general way. Tell them why it is important to you.

Thank a legislator whose voting record on gun regulation aligns with your beliefs.

For friends who can't attend: suggest they contribute toward the cost of stamps and printing

Grateful to you for moving us from memory to action by galvanizing us at this critical time with the very poignant #PortraitsofParkland.

— Robin MInkoff, Elkins Park, PA

Portraits of Parkland is a project of the heart. It started on February 15, 2018, when I caught myself looking away from photographs of the massacre victims as they scrolled across the television screen. In the next moment, I realized that we don't get to look away. Drawing the portraits was a way to cope with my grief and outrage. You can read more about how the project evolved here.